Anyone really happy with a purchased 300-350 gr lead bullet for 45-70? Just found a like new Marlin 1895, made in '05 with Ballard-type rifling.

Hoping to find a bullet of 350 or even 300 gr lead that will hold in rifling and give mebbe 1400 fps. Something the ol' shoulder will tolerate with good accuracy. Not desiring to start casting. Anyone use Tru-Cast?

[Have a bunch of 300 gr and 400 gr jacketed, and 400 gr lead from when I developed some tyrannosaurus loads for Ruger #1. But not going that route this time.]

Thanks in advance,

Dyson

Would really appreciate any such recommendations for Marlin 1895, based on actual use of purchased bullets.

Thanks very much,

Dyson

Can't help you with a commercial source for 300-350 grain bullets, I had to find a friend who casts bullets to find a good one, a Lyman double cavity mold that makes 300 grainers. My Marlin really likes them, we cast a bunch the other day and put some gas checks on them while sizing. Loaded them up with 14.0 grains Trail Boss for an advertised 1200 FPS. Super accurate and easy on the shoulder.

I am going to experiment with some faster velocitys with this bullet, say 1700 FPS with 3031 powder. The gas check should keep leading down, and the bullets were cast pretty hard with wheel weights and linotype.

I am keeping an eye on this post as well in hopes that someone has a good source for cheap 300-350 grain 45/70 bullets.

Here ya go. Roger makes excellent bullets. He's got a 300 and a 350gr that'll work just fine. They do in my 70' Marlin 1895 with Douglas barrel.

Could you resend the info re Roger, pls? No info showed...

Thanks,

Dyson

Better Bullets / King Shooter Supply.

Try Oregon Trail Laser Cast. My preference.

Call Dave Jennings at Montana bullets.....

[email protected]

See the website. I have used their bullets for years with stellar results. I am working on 300-350 loads now with my Sharps 1874. These are really well made and cast with the proper hardness for lever guns.

Terry

I have a Marlin 1895 45/70 Cowboy w/ 26" barrel. I load 350 Oregon Trail Cast w/ 48 gr. 3031. Nice sorta-mellow load. Maximum I believe is 50 gr.

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beaver

Try Buffalo Arms Company. They have some good cast bullets in your weights. They might be lubed with SPG [blackpowder lube] but they will shoot just as well with smokeless.

Also go to Powder Inc. or Midway and try the GOEX cast bullets. Again they have SPG lube.

Try some XMP5744. It does very well in the big bores.

Good luck.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Yes , it is very good in 45/70.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have used 4759 powder and have some in stock, but never tried 5744.

Regards,

Dyson